Before the NBA offseason even officially began, the Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. This marks Durant’s fifth team in his NBA journey, after stints with the Thunder, Warriors, and Nets.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green shared his perspective on The Draymond Green Show shortly after news of the trade broke. Green stated Durant’s undeniable impact on the court but acknowledged that such a move isn’t just about basketball.
“Any team in the world, in basketball, if you add Kevin Durant, it’s an upgrade. Now, if you want to discuss the business of basketball, then you have a different discussion when you start talking about salary and what happens with caps and all,” Green said.
"Its an upgrade… When you look at the rosters of everywhere we heard KD [Kevin Durant] may go, this team did the least gutting of a roster that a team may have had to do."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 28, 2025
Draymond Green talks about the KD trade to the Rockets 🚀
(via @DraymondShow)
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Green later discussed the Rockets’ strategy for preserving their young core. He pointed out that players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green were unlikely to be sacrificed in the deal. He also noted that Durant’s connection with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka could be a key factor.
“KD has his familiarity with Ime Udoka as a coach. I think KD still wants to compete at a high level. And I think this team, like when you look at the rosters of everywhere we heard KD may go, did the least gutting of a roster that a team may have had to do. For the Rockets, I think it’s good,” Green added.
Paul Pierce Defends Kevin Durant’s Leadership After Move To Houston
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Some critics have questioned Kevin Durant’s leadership abilities throughout his career. Former NBA star Paul Pierce came to his defense during a recent episode of KG Certified. Pierce pushed back against the long-standing criticism and spoke candidly about Durant’s value to a young team like the Rockets.
“Everybody always be talking about KD. ‘He ain’t a leader’ and all this. He is a leader! If I’m a young dude and KD’s in my practice, I’m watching KD’s work ethic. He puts it in, he puts the work in,” Pierce said.
Durant’s brief run with the Suns has ended after just two and a half seasons. Despite high hopes, Durant’s time in Phoenix failed to deliver the ultimate prize. Throughout these two seasons, the Suns fell short in back-to-back playoff runs. Now, with a fresh start in Houston, Durant has a chance to reshape the narrative surrounding his legacy.
